Hammer and tong speciality in Killarney
A TRADE that dates back centuries to a time of prestige and whimsy, one Killarney man has brought blacksmithing into the modern era.
Paul Lawson dabbled in the craft 30 years ago as a hobby before turning it into his own business.
When a blacksmith performed a demonstration to his grade six classroom, Mr Lawson became instantly mesmerised with the skill.
But you won't find horseshoes leaving his workshop in Killarney. Mr Lawson specialises in decorative irons such as candelabras and doors.
"A lot of my work is custom and made to order,” Mr Lawson said.
"The nature of the job is every item is unique.”
A rarity in Australia, the trade is still widely used in Europe and Mr Lawson has learnt from Austrian and English blacksmiths.
"It's not very common in Australia anymore. Trades have moved on from fire and ambers,” he said.
"You see more people take it up as a hobby than a profession. "It's labour-intensive and not an option for a lot of people.”
Some of his work can take up to eight hours under the hammer and tong.
Mr Lawson worked in the Brisbane area before moving to Killarney 14 years ago.
He fashions his work out of flat bar irons sourced from the surrounding areas.
"It's unlimited and up to your imagination on what you can create,” Mr Lawson said.
Through the years, Mr Lawson's work has travelled across seas and is sitting in homes in England, Singapore, America and Switzerland.
